Liquid-level gauge



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1 May 24,1927.

Patented May 24, 1927. n

PATENT OFFICE..V

WALTER N. FRANK, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GROLAN MAUACTURINGCOMPANY, F DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION' OF DELAWARE;

LIQUID-LEVEL GAUGE.

Application filed February 7, 1924. Serial No. 691,222.

My invention relates to gauges and in particular to liquid level gauges.

It is the object ot my invention to provide a gasoline gauge in whichthe indicator is remote from the tank and in` which the `flexiblecommunicating means is pulled. in one direction by a spring or the likeand in the other `direction by the Heat.

provide a tank unit which may bedefinitely located in a predeterminedposition in the tank and may be inserted in the tank during the assemblyot' the automobile after. the tank has been manufactured and completed.One of the objects of my invention is to provide a mechanism which maybe easily and quickly assembled in a production line in an automobilefactory.

Itis my object to provide such a .gauge which must be installed only inone Way, so that the mechanic making the installation cannot display anyjudgment or tamper With the gauge equipment in any Way.

It is a further object off' my invention to provide such an equipmentwhich will per mit of being tested to ascertain it the float Vis on thebottom oit' the tank before being finally assembled on 'the automobile.Y

It is a further object toprovide a cheap and economical construction, inwhich the ioat lever iorms its `own eye to serve as the bearing for itssupport.

It vis an additional object toprovide a means oi attaching the flexibleWire vto its anchoringr connections to prevent. any bending or twistingof the u'ire and its consequent breaking. lt is a further object to`provide a gasoline barrier in .such a combination.

1t is my objecty to provide a` substantially complete enclosed housingtor the operating parts, so that they cannotbe tampered with by Workmenor cannot be injured in handling or transportation.

It is my obiectto lprovide a vtloat arm which may move freely withrespect to the Wire arm in one direction to relieve the Wire arm andWire ot many unnecessary strains and jerks which would have a rtendencyto break the Wire orbend it and destroy it,

It is an additional object to provide a relatively large housing for theupper end of the 'Wire arm and the wire so that there. may be no bindingand so that minor imperfections in manufacturing, lsuch as accumulationson the inside ofthe housing, will not aliect the operation of the gauge.

Referring to the drawings: y Figure l is a side elevation of thecomplete gauge equipment, showing the dashboard and tank in section.

, Figure Q is a section through the indicator y f head. lt is a furtherob'ect ot my inventionto Figure 3 is a plan vienT of the tankplat'e`ivithits positioning shoulders.

Figure 4L is a top plan view of the tank unit.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5--5 of Figure 4L With the float leverin a vposition olf of the bottom of the tank.

Figure 6 is a similar view with the float on the bottom of the tank andalso showing' in dotted lines the position the float arm may assumebefore the Wire arm can catch up to it. in case of a sudden movement otthe float.

Figure 7 Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a vertical elevation of the inclosing bracket unit from thefloat side of the tank unit.

Figure 9 is a like elevation of the inclosing bracket unit from theopposite end of the tank unit.

Figure 10 is a section on the line 10-10 of Figure 1l.

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail view of the eye on the end of the Wire.

Figure l2 is ay section through the tube which connects the guiding tubeto the indicator. y

Referring to the drawingsin detail:

l is the casing ot the indicator head, which has a glass cover 2 abovethe end plate 3 which is providedy with an aperture 4 for disclosingthetigures on'the drum 5. This drum is mounted on a shaft 6y which isjournaled in a U-shaped supporting bracket 7 carried by the casing l.Upon the shaft is not only mounted the' drum 5, but a grooved pulley 8.This pulley turns with the drum 5 and in its groove is attached thechain 9. The chain and the Wire 10 to which it is attached, as Well asthe drum and pulley, are moved in one direction by the helical springll, one end of which is attached to a stud l2 on the drum and the otherenden a stud 1B on the U-shaped bracket 7. f

The chain 9 passes out through a threaded tubular member 14 which ismounted in the is a section on the line 7--7 of" rear of the casing 1.To this tubular member there is attached a stiff tube by a collar 16.The tube 15 has a threaded end 17, upon-which is mounted a collar 18carrying a plurality ot'vexternally7 threaded tingers 19, which embracethe flexible. protecting and guiding tube 20 and are clamped thereon b vthe nut 21, which is threaded on such lingers.

This inner guide casing 20 has secured to its end adjacent the tank acollar 20 which snuglyT tits within the tube 15 and is provided from apointv beyond the tube 15 with an outerheavier protecting easingl 20which is attached thereto at one end by the crimped head 22.

vThe tank end of the casing 20 is attached by a collar 23 to thethreaded tubular member 24 which is formed on one end of the housing 25.This housing is projected 'latorally into a tubular member 26, which hasa relatively large area therein as at 27, which terminates in arestricted passageway 2S through which the wire l0 passes. Thispassageway expands into a large area 29. The purpose of the restrictedpassageway is to form a seal or means lor preventing the passage ofgasoline from the tank into the tubes 20 and 20a. x

This housing 25 is mounted by the screws on a plate 31. There is apacking 32 between the flange 33 ot' the housing` and the plate 31 toprevent gasoline leakage. This flange 33 is extended rearwardly into ancar 34, through which one of the screws 35 passes. This prevents thehousing 25 frombecoming detached and anchors it to the tank plate 36which is mounted upon the tank 37. The plate 31 has a turned-over edge38 and a. cork packing 3i) between it and plate 40n secured to the ears42 ot a U-shaped inclosing bracket 43, as by welding or otherwise. Thescrews 35 serve to hold this intermediate plate or ring fil as also thebracket plattesti" on the tank plate 3G.

The bracket 43 has parallel side walls, a bottom wall 44, turned-overends walls 45 and turned-over end walls 4G. The purpose ot these endwalls is to prevent anyone trom putting a tool or their lingers againstthe wire or wire arm, thus damaging the mer-hanism. The plate 401 givesrigidity to the bracket and is adapted to rest. on the tank plate 3Gwit-hin the recess Yformed by the turneifl-over edges 3S of the plate31. This plate 40 is provided with a slot 40 to permit the wire arm 41to move back and forth, the upper end ot said wire arm projecting withinthe housing 25.

Located between the side walls ot this bracket is the pivot piu 47 whichis heldr in position by a. head on one end and cotter pin 48 on theother. Mounted on this pin 47 is the wire arm 41 which is provided witha downwardly and laterally extending stop 49, which engages with thefloat arm 50when the float is moifing downwardly and pulling the wire l0against the tension of the spring 11. This float arm is a flat piece etmetal which may be ribbed l'or strength, which has its end split intotwo parts which are turned over to form the eyes 5l. which serve asbearings for n'iounting upon thc pivot pin 47. The wire arm -l-l ispivoted on 47 between these two eyes` the projection 49 ot the wire armengaging with the bottom portion of the fioat armY itl. This arm carriesa wire 52 and a traiiswrfrely located tioat 53, which is so arnmged thatits point ot' connection is always equidistant from its periph-ery` sothat the end ot the tioat always rests the saine distance above thebottom of the tank 37 when the parts are at zero position.

It will be observed that tht` wire ttl has located in one end thereof acollar .74. the wire being wrapped in a groove on the exterior of thecollar. Thisl collar iff located in the jaws 5G at the upper end olr thewire arm and through the collar is passed the pin 57 which is alsomounted in the arms of the jaw 5G. The sleeve with the wire lt) turns onthis pin, so that no mattei' what the position of the wire arm or leverl1 may be, the wire will always be pulled in a substantially straightline.

In assembly the tank plate 35. which is provided with the screw holes59. is mounted upon the tank adjacent the opening provided in the tankfor the insertion o! the tank end of this gauge etpiipnicnt. lt will benoted that on either side ot the cutawaj.' portion 5S) in the tank plateare n-'itches having square shoulders. which exactly lit the outsidedimensions ol' the rectangular bracket 43. In ordinary practice on theassembly line the tank will be mounted on the chassis. The plat@ Ztlwill have already been installed on the tank. All that the gaugeassembler will have to do is to tit the rectangular bracket into theshoulders provided on the tank plate and insert the screws 35 into theproper openings. The floaty is oi such a dimension that it may bereadily inserted through the opening ol' the tank and tank plate. Theimlicating head is mounted on the dashboard` so that the wire 10 may beconnected to the chain f) and the collars tightened and positioned.Before doing this. the wire can be actuated to see it all the parts aremoving l'rcely and to see it the I'ioat is Aon the bottom ol' the tank,because a pull on the wire will liftthe float arm and float. The partsare then con nected in this Zero position with the drum indicating zero.

Tn operation, a sudden .surge ol tht` gaviline may carry the tloatsuddenly upw'ardly. but this will not disturb the wire innnediately. Itwill be observed that there wd i awhip. l y is cushioned by the .springll. It will thus be no thrust on the wire and no compression,y which isan essential feature ofv my gauge because this prevents buckling orsnappingof the wire, like the'cracking of The suddenv descent of thefloat Vin the installation of kthousands of such gauges in the quantityproduction of automobiles. y f.

I desire to comprehend within my inv-ention such modifications as may benecessary to adapt it to varying conditions.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent,nis: y

1. In a liquid level gauge, a tank, an indicator, a communicating meansconnected to said indicator, a oat and float arm, an inclosing bracketmounted in said tank, means to mountsaid float yarm in said bracket,means connecting said iioat arm and communicatingr means, a part ofconnecting means being'inelosed by said bracket, means to guide andprotect said communicating means, means to inclose one end of thecommunicating means and the upper end of the connecting means at theirpoint of' union, whereby taniporing with said Acommunicating means Aandsaid connecting means is prevented.

2. In a liquid level gauge, a tank, an

indicator, aV flexible coi'niiiiinicating means connected to saidindicator, guiding and protecting means for the communicating means, aninclosing bracket mounted in said tank, a float and float, arm pivotallymounted in said bracket, a wire arm partly inclor-:ed by said bracketand connecting said communicating means to said float arm, wherebytampering with the connections between the communicating means, wire armand float arm is prevented.

3. In a liquid Alevel gauge, an bracket extending within a tank ing oneend open, a float arm mounted therein, a wire arm pivotally mountedvtherein and moving with said float arm, a housing over the open end ofsaid bracket, a wire connected to the upper end of said wire arm andtravellingv within said housing, a flexible guide means surrounding saidvire and attached to said housing, an indicator, and means whereby saidindicator is attached to said wire.

All. In aliquid level gauge, an 'enclosing enclosing and havpivotallysaid4 bracket extending Within a tank and having one end open, a fioatarm pivotally mounted therein, a Wire arm i pivotallyV mounted therein,a housing over the open end of said bracket, a wire connected to saidwire arm and travelling within said housing, a flexible guide meanssurrounding said vwire and attached to said housing, an indi-` cator,and means whereby said indicator is attached to said wire, said fioatarm and wire arm being adapted to move freely with respectto oneanother, and means on said wire aim for engaging said float arm when thefloat arm is moving downwardly, so that they will move together. 5. In aliquid level gauge, an enclosing bracket extending within a. tank andhaving an open end, a iioat arm pivotally mounted therein, a wire armvpivotally mounted therein, a housing over the open end of said bracket,a wire connected Vto said wire armi and travelling within said housing,a flexible guide, means surrounding said wii'e and' attached to saidhousing, an indicator, means whereby said indicator is attached to saidwire, said floatarm and 'wire arm being adapted to move freely withrespect to one another, means on said wire arm for engaging saidfloatarm where the fioat arm is moving downwardly, so that they willmove together, and yielding means for maintaining said wire taut and formaintaining the wire arm and float arm in engagement with one another.

6. Ina liquid level gauge, an enclosing bracketentending within a tankand having an open end, a lioat arm pivotally mounted therein, a wirearm pivotally mounted therein, a housing over the open end of saidbracket, a wire connected to said wire arm and travelling within saidhousingya fiexible guide means surrounding said wire yand attached tosaid housing, an indicator, means whereby said indicatoris attached tosaid wire, said float arm and wire arm being adapted to move freely withrespect 'to one'- another, means on saidv wire arm for engaging saidfloat arm when the float arm is moving downwardly, so that they willmore together, yielding means for main` taining said wire taut and formaintaining the wire arm and float arm in engagement with one another,and means for attaching the wire kto the wire arm, consisting of a pairof jaws on the upper cnd of the wire arm, a collar to which the` end ofthe wire is secured, and means for ii'ionnting said collar between saidjaws. y i 7. In a liquid level gauge, a tank` a notched tank platetherefor, a bracket adapted to fit in said notch and to be positionedtherebyymeans of suspendingsaid bracketfi'om said tank plate, a floatarm lll) for connecting said communicating means at Ione end with saidfloat arm and other means for connecting the opposite end ot saidcommunicating means ivith said indicater.

8. In a liquid. level gauge, a tank, a tank plate therefor vhaving anaperture therein and notches` for positioning abracket, an inclosingbracket suspended in said tank and having flanges adapted to tit in thenotches in said tank plate, positioning means secured to said bracketand adapted to rest on said tank plate. a ring having a turned-over edgeadapted to engage said positioning means and a sealing medium betweensaid ring and positioning means, av housing mounted upon said ring, a`sealing medium between said ring and housing, a float arm pivoted withinsaid bracket and carrying a lloat, an indicator, a Wire arm pivoted insaid bracket and moving with said float arm, and a flexibleconnmmicating means connected to said wire arm and indicator.

9. In a liquid level gauge, a tank, a tank plate therefor having anaperture therein and notches :tor positioning a bracket, aninclosingbracket suspended in said tank and having portions adapted totit in the notches in said tank plate, a plate secured to said bracketand adapted to rest. on said tank plate, a ring having a. turned-overedge adapted to engageV said plate and a sealing medium between saidring and bracket plate, a housing mounted upon said ring, a sealingmedium between said ring and housing, a float arm pivoted Within saidbracket and carrying a float, an indicator, a wire arm pivoted in saidbracket and moving With said float arm, a flexible communicating meansconnected to said ivire arm and to said indicator, said inclosingbracket. and its housing preventing unauthorized access to the Wire armand the flexible communicating means, and means for guiding andprotecting said flexible communicating means in its passage from thetank to the indicator.

l0. ln a liquid level gauge, a` tank, a. tank plate therefor having anaperture therein and notches for positioning a bracket, a bracketsuspended in said tank and having portions adapted to fit in the notchesin said tank plate. a plate secured to said bracket and adapted to rest.on said tank plate. a ring having a turned-over edge adapted t0 engagesaid bracket plate, and a sealinglmedium between said ring andbracketplate, a housing mounted upon said ring. a sealing medium between saidring and housing, a float arm pivoted within said bracket and carrying afloat, an indicator, a ivire arm pivoted in said bracket and having aprojection to engage said tloat arm, a flexible communicating meansconnected to said Wire arm and to said indicator, said inclosingbracketand its housing preventing unauthorized access to the Wire armand the flexible communicating means, means for guiding and protectingsaid flexible communicating means in its passage from the tank to theindicator, vielding means to maintain said flexible communicating meanstaut and move it in one direction, said wire arm and float arm beingadapted to move ilreclv with respect to one another in one direction andto be limited in such movement in the. other direction. wl'lerebwv theWire will be moved by the float arm in one direction and by theyieldingmeans in the other direction.

11. ln a liquid level gauge, an inclosing bracket, a float arm pivotedin said bracket, a float carried by said t'loat arm and so arranged asto always maintain the float arm a. uni't'orin` distance above thebottom of the tank when the parts are at zero position. a wire armpivotally mounted in said ln'acket and having a projection to engagesaid float arm. a Wire, means l'or pivotally connecting said wire to theupper end ot' the Wire arm. a housing enclosing the upper end ol thewire arm and the end of the wire, a guiding tube for said wire, aprotecting tube for said wire, an indicator, yielding means in saidindicator 'for maintainingsaid Wire taut, said wire arm and float armbeing so arranged wit-hin the iuclosingbracket that they ma)Y morefreely with respect to one another in one direction and will move withone another in another direction.

12. ln a liquid level gauge. a bracket., a. tloat arm pivoted thereon.one end ot said arm being bifurcatod and turned over to lorm eyes toserve as bearings tor the pivotal support ol' the ivire arm, a wire armpivoted between the l'iifurcated arm portions, a stop on said wire armfor engaging the said float arm, a pin passing through said c ves andwire arm tor pivotally supporting them on said bracket. a flexiblecommunicat-ing means connected to said wire arm, an indicator, means forconnectingT said communicating means to said indicator and yieldingmeans tor moving said wire arm in one direction.

13. In a liquid level gauge. a bracket, a float arm pivoted thereon, oneend of said arm being bifurcatcd and turned over to form eyes to serveas bearings for the pivotal support ol the wire arm. a uire arm pivotedbetween the bi'fureated arm portions. a stop on said wire arm forengaging the said float arm, a pin passing through said c ves and Wirearm lor pivotallv supporting them on said bracket, a flexiblecommunieating mea-ns connected to said n'ire arm, an indicator, meansfor connecting said comiunicating means to said indicator, yield- Y ing`means for moving` said Wire arm in one Vto be suspended in said tank, aywire arm pivotally mounted in saidbracket, a lfloat and float armpivotally mounted in said bracket, said wire arm moving with said floatarm, a plate secured to said bracket and adapted to rest on saidtankplate, a ring mounted on said bracket plate', a housing mounted onsaid ring, means of attaching said housing, ring and tank plate to oneanother, said bracketplate having a cutaway portion to permit the Wirearm to yoperate, therein, an indicator, a flexible communicating` means,and means for connecting said communicating means at one end to saidWire arm, and other means for connecting1 said communicating means atits opposite end to said indicator.

'In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

1WALTER N. FRANK.

